Melatonin may slow the onset of Huntingtons disease

Posted October 13, 2011

Melatonin is a hormone known for its role in regulating sleep. Many people take melatonin supplements, like those available at Dr. Newton’s Naturals, as a natural sleep aid. New research suggests that the hormone may be responsible for a lot more than just sleep – in fact, it was found to delay onset and reduce mortality in mice with Huntington’s disease.

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and Harvard Medical School injected mice with Huntington’s disease with daily doses of melatonin or placebo and found that the melatonin delayed the onset of the disease by 19 percent and slowed its progression by 18 percent.

“Extra melatonin might help fill all the available MT1 receptors, allowing the hormone to counter the programmed cell death cascade and thus protect neurons,” explained Dr. Friedlander, lead author of the study. “This suggests that melatonin or similar agents that influence the MT1 receptor have potential as an HD treatment, which we’ve never had before.”

Researchers believe that increased melatonin may be responsible for slowing the onset of other neurodegenerative diseases as well. Keep that in mind next time you’re looking for a sleep aid and turn to Melatonin, available at Dr. Newton’s Naturals.